Furman Athletics confirmed in a press release Saturday that the basketball facilities in Timmons Arena are receiving significant upgrades. The upgrades began in the summer, and thus have been somewhat of an open secret amongst those who stayed on campus for MayX and Summer Term, but the exact details were clouded in mystery until now. 

The renovations, which will amount to $3 million (funded exclusively by donor support), are expected to be completed before the season starts up for the Paladins. Apart from significant graphic design and branding upgrades (led by former Paladin women’s golfer and Jack Porter, Inc. President Christina Harrell), the men’s and women’s coaching staffs will now have their own office suites (they used to share a single suite), a reception area, new private conference rooms, expanded head coaches' offices, and offices for each assistant. 

The fun isn’t limited exclusively to the coaching staffs, however; the locker rooms will be expanded and reconfigured; further, a nutrition station will be added, as well as upgrades made to the player lounge. The film rooms will also receive significant upgrades, with the addition of stadium-style tiered seating and improved technology. 

Judging from the renderings included in the press release, I can say with no hesitation and in all seriousness that the Paladins’ facilities will be on par with some Power-5 schools’ facilities. As someone who has been fortunate enough to have been in Power-5 facilities before, the renovations should put Timmons right up there. I would imagine that the upgrades should help Coaches Richey and Carson nab higher-quality recruits and transfers, as facilities are of great importance within the player market. If nothing else, our boys and girls will feel a lot better about putting on the jersey come November. 

The renovations are officially part of “an ongoing athletics facilities master plan” that will include other facilities. Although no official details were given regarding this plan, it would appear that all Paladin facilities will be seeing new life relatively soon.